Josette Bushell-Mingo's critically acclaimed production will see Clive Rowe keep the role of Watermelon Joe. The eponymous "Simple" — the likeable factory worker and regular of the show's setting, Paddy's Bar — will again be played by Rhanshan Stone, whose forthcoming new play Two Step will also be directed by Bushell-Mingo. Poet, novelist, journalist and playwright Langston Hughes (1902-1967) — whose book and lyrics are set to David Martin's music — based Simply Heavenly on his novel "Simple Takes a Wife".

The transfer will see actor and jazz singer Ruby Turner (who reprises her role as Mamie) reunited with Rowe, whose long list of stage personas include Mr. Snow in the award-winning Carousel, Cacambo in Candide and Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls for which Rowe won the 1997 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical.

Josette Bushell-Mingo's production will follow another musical transfer currently playing at the Trafalgar Studios: John Doyle's Watermill Theatre version of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd.